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Optical Application Engineer Jobs in Atlanta, GA

nLIGHT

Optical Engineer

Roswell, GA

$40/hr

Summary We are seeking a hands-on Optical Engineer with experience supporting complex opto ... If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application ...

nLIGHT

Optical Engineer

Roswell, GA

$40/hr

Summary We are seeking a hands-on Optical Engineer with experience supporting complex opto ... If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application ...

nLIGHT

Optical Engineer

Roswell, GA · On-site

$40/hr

Summary We are seeking a hands-on Optical Engineer with experience supporting complex opto ... If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application ...

nLIGHT

Optical Engineer

Roswell, GA · On-site

Summary We are seeking a hands-on Optical Engineer with experience supporting complex opto ... If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application ...

Southern Company

Application Developer

Atlanta, GA · Hybrid

Application Developer Job Level : Exempt 04-06 Relocation: No Work Location(s): GPC Headquarters ... optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to ...

New

Southern Company

Application Developer

Atlanta, GA · Hybrid

Application Developer Job Level : Exempt 04-06 Relocation: No Work Location(s): GPC Headquarters ... optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to ...

New

Southern Company

Application Developer

Atlanta, GA · On-site

Application Developer Job Level : Exempt 04-06 Relocation: No Work Location(s): GPC Headquarters ... optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to ...

New

Opto-Alignment Technology

Be Seen First

Applications Engineer

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

We are highly recognized as a quality developer and supplier of state-of-the-art optical systems ... their application, to working with the R&D team on tailoring the best solution, to assisting ...

Opto-Alignment Technology

Be Seen First

Senior Field Service Engineer

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

... application. The Senior Field Service Engineer is expected to be involved in all stages of the ... Requirements: * Bs in Physics, Optics, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent in a ...

Lightera

OVD Process Engineer

Norcross, GA · On-site

... application specific fibers, optical connectors, ribbon cables, erbium doped fibers, Raman fiber ... Process engineer to launch and support new OVD production line to ensure safe and efficient ...

LIGHTERA

OVD Process Engineer

Norcross, GA · On-site

... application specific fibers, optical connectors, ribbon cables, erbium doped fibers, Raman fiber ... Process engineer to launch and support new OVD production line to ensure safe and efficient ...

Adtran

Sr. Software Engineer (Firmware)

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$114K - $151K/yr

... your application status and future opportunities. We appreciate your interest in joining our team ... You will collaborate closely with optical, hardware, and test engineers to deliver high-quality ...

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All JobsOptical Application Engineer JobsOptical Application Engineer Jobs in Atlanta, GA

Optical Application Engineer information

See Atlanta, GA salary details

$48.6K

$106.5K

$146.2K

How much do optical application engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical application engineer in Atlanta, GA is $106,454.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,800.00 and $129,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an optical application engineer?

To thrive as an Optical Application Engineer, you need a strong background in optics, photonics, and physics, typically supported by a degree in optical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with optical design software (such as Zemax or Code V), laser systems, and relevant industry standards is essential. Excellent problem-solving, communication, and project management skills help you translate customer requirements into practical solutions and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These abilities are crucial for delivering innovative optical solutions that meet technical specifications and client needs.

What is an optical application engineer?

An Optical Application Engineer is a professional who specializes in designing, developing, and supporting optical systems and components, such as lenses, lasers, and fiber optics, for various applications. They work closely with clients to understand technical requirements and provide solutions that meet specific optical performance needs. Their responsibilities often include testing prototypes, troubleshooting issues, and collaborating with engineering and sales teams to ensure successful product integration. Optical Application Engineers play a crucial role in industries such as telecommunications, medical devices, imaging, and manufacturing.

How does an optical application engineer typically collaborate with product development teams to deliver client solutions?

Optical Application Engineers often work closely with product development teams by translating client requirements into technical specifications, participating in design reviews, and troubleshooting integration challenges. They serve as a vital bridge between customers and internal engineering, ensuring that optical systems meet performance criteria and application needs. Frequent collaboration includes providing feedback on prototypes, suggesting design modifications, and supporting testing and validation processes. This teamwork helps ensure that final products align with both technical standards and client expectations.

What are popular job titles related to Optical Application Engineer jobs in Atlanta, GA?

For Optical Application Engineer jobs in Atlanta, GA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Optical Application Engineer jobs in Atlanta, GA look for?

The top searched job categories for Optical Application Engineer jobs in Atlanta, GA are:

Optical Application Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Application Engineer job openings in Atlanta, GA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,454 per year, or $51.2 per hour.

Verification and Field Application Engineer - Hybrid, 3 DAW on site in Alpharetta

Ciena Corporation

Alpharetta, GA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We're a technology company that leads with our humanity-driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.
The Verification and Field Application Engineer will be responsible for driving test strategies, test plans, and test execution for Ciena's WaveLogic Optical Modem. Additionally, the candidate will support field activities and frequently interact with customers, PLM, and R&D.
Looking for a Verification and Field Application Engineer to support our client's WaveLogic Optical Modem products, focused on developing and executing test strategies, plans, and validation activities. This role includes a mix of manual and automated testing, with a strong emphasis on customer use cases, system-level validation, Python-based automation, troubleshooting, and field/customer support. The engineer will work closely with R&D, PLM, subject matter experts, and customers to validate product capabilities, reproduce and resolve issues, support demos, and continuously improve both the product and overall test environment.
Daily tasks:
  • Develop comprehensive test strategies and test plans to validate customer use cases, product capabilities, and system-level behavior.
  • Perform both manual testing and automated testing for optical modem, networking, and telecom-related features.
  • Build and maintain lab test environments for validation activities, considering interactions across multiple product features and configurations.
  • Execute validation test cases, analyze results, document findings, and report defects clearly.
  • Develop, execute, debug, and maintain Python automation test cases to improve test coverage and execution efficiency.
  • Augment and improve existing automated test cases, test scripts, and automation frameworks.
  • Troubleshoot automation failures, lab issues, product behavior, and customer-reported defects.
  • Report defects and follow up with design/R&D teams through closure.
  • Summarize test metrics, communicate test results, and provide clear status updates to stakeholders.
  • Work closely with subject matter experts to ensure testing aligns with customer-focused solutions, product specifications, and expected system behavior.
  • Support customer lab activities, field issues, customer demos, and issue reproduction.
  • Participate in customer-facing discussions, including demos, technical support calls, issue reviews, and requirements clarification.
  • Review customer-reported issues and feedback with appropriate engineering teams to identify potential design improvements.
  • Use available tools, logs, CLI commands, APIs, SDKs, JSON interfaces, and lab equipment to configure, validate, and troubleshoot devices.
  • Evaluate and apply modern tools, including AI-assisted coding or automation tools, where appropriate, to improve testing efficiency and productivity.

Must haves
  • 5-10 years of experience in product verification, system test, test automation, field application engineering, or customer support engineering.
  • Strong background in manual testing, automation testing, and system-level validation.
  • Experience creating and maintaining Python-based test automation.
  • Ability to write, execute, debug, and fix automation scripts.
  • Experience determining what should be automated versus what should remain manual or exploratory testing.
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
  • Experience working in a lab environment with test equipment and physical system configurations.
  • Ability to investigate difficult or intermittent issues using logs, test data, automation output, CLI, and system behavior.
  • Knowledge of software testing methodologies, defect lifecycle, regression testing, and test best practices.
  • Familiarity with CLI, JSON, SDKs, APIs, and device configuration interfaces.
  • Experience with Jenkins CI/CD or other CI/CD platforms is a plus.
  • Strong commitment to product excellence, quality, and customer satisfaction.
  • Ability to understand customer use cases and translate them into practical test coverage.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to communicate clearly with multi-site engineering teams, PLM, R&D, and customers.
  • Comfortable presenting technical information in customer demos, internal reviews, or support discussions.

Nice to haves
  • Awareness of OpenROADM and open optical networking standards
  • Familiarity with ROADM architecture
  • Knowledge of network topologies (ring, mesh, point-to-point)
  • Familiarity with optical amplification (EDFA, Raman)
  • Experience with optical spectrum analyzers (OSA)
  • Experience with optical power meters and light sources
  • Knowledge of BER testers (BERT)
  • Familiarity with constellation diagram analysis
  • Understanding of eye diagram analysis and interpretation
  • Understanding of coherent DSP (Digital Signal Processing) concepts
  • Knowledge of polarization effects (PMD - Polarization Mode Dispersion, PDL - Polarization Dependent Loss)
  • Familiarity with modulation formats (QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM) and their tradeoffs
  • Understanding of baud rate vs bit rate concepts
  • Knowledge of nonlinear optical effects (SPM, XPM, FWM)
  • Understanding of OSNR (Optical Signal-to-Noise Ratio) and its impact on signal quality
  • Knowledge of BER (Bit Error Rate) and FEC (Forward Error Correction) concepts
  • Familiarity with WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) and DWDM channel spacing (50GHz, 100GHz grids)

Qualifications
  • Bachelors or Masters in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Optical Communications
  • Ability to travel domestically or internationally as required
  • Must be eligible to obtain a US security clearance. Info on clearances can be found here: https://www.state.gov/security-clearance-faqs/#subjectbackgroundprofile

Compensation and Benefits
The annual pay range for this position is $100, 300 - $135, 000 USD.
#LI-BS1
Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.
Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.
At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.
Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.

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